Last week, Ted Sullivan and I were asked to name our favorite Thanksgiving beers as well provide as a one sentence description of each.  This wasn’t as clear cut as asking for something like our favorite Christmas beers, because there isn’t a separate seasonal category for Thanksgiving like there is for other seasons and holidays.  This turned into a slight head scratcher for me when all I could think about was how well Southern Pumking goes with my mother’s homemade pumpkin pie.  Our family always saves a few bottles of Pumking for dessert on turkey day.  There is only one problem with this:  The Thanksgiving beer list was to be beers that are available right now, and Pumpking all but vanishes from our shelves in the weeks before Halloween.

It immediately became apparent that Ted had done this before, as he instantaneously emailed us the following list that he was “ashamed to say he recited from memory,” as he lamented that it might be possible that he drinks a little too much beer.

Saison Dupont

Sierra Nevada Celebration

Avery Ellie's Brown

Ommegang Three Philosophers Ale

Founders Red's Rye

North Coast Pranqster

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

Goose Island Sofie

N'ice Chouffe

Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter

When asked to narrow his list to a top three and give a one sentence description of each, Ted provided the following:

Saison Dupont – “Goes with everything on the holiday table, a strong foil for turkey and all the trimmings...best food beer in the world.”

Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter –“Did someone mention dessert?  Pair this with a cheesecake and watch the sparks fly!”

North Coast Pranqster – “Complex enough to pair with goose or duck, with enough carbonation to cleanse the palate for the next bite.....dangerously drinkable at 7.6abv%.”

It seemed that Ted gladly had this project under control, while I mustered up the following: 

Anchor Our Special Ale 2009 - Anchor brews their holiday beer different year, and this year’s version hit the jackpot.  The nutmeg, egg nog, and ginger flavors pair wonderfully with many Thanksgiving foods and are a pleasant prelude to Christmas.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to Thanksgiving and beer.  Perhaps a session beer to drink during the football game?  How about a beer to pair up with turkey and mashed potatoes smothered in gravy?  A good host will also need dessert beers, and perhaps an after dinner sipper.  You now know what we will be drinking, and now it is your turn to answer the question:  Which beers will you be celebrating with on Thanksgiving?